Back pain is a common complaint for many women during pregnancy and may occur as early as your first trimester. As your uterus grows, your abdominal muscles stretch out to accommodate your developing baby and belly, and as a result your abdominal muscles become weaker. As your belly enlarges, your center of gravity shifts forward, which puts tremendous stress on your spine. Additionally, there are normal hormonal changes that loosen your ligaments and relax your joints in preparation for the delivery of your baby. All of these factors, not to mention the additional weight you're carrying around, can lead to spinal and pelvic pain as well as tight and achy muscles.

While lower back and pelvic pain during pregnancy is completely normal and typically no cause for concern, it can be extremely frustrating and distracting, often making is hard for you (and sometimes your partner!) to sleep at night, making your days long and tiring. For some women their back pain may escalate into sciatica (pain that travels into the hip and down your leg).

During pregnancy, there are very few medical interventions that are considered safe when it comes to dealing with pregnancy related back pain and sciatica symptoms. If your typical response to aches and pains is to grab the bottle of Aleve and go on with your day - that's not happening while baby is on board! That doesn't mean you have to just live with the pain, though. Chiropractors trained in the Webster Technique are competent care providers who know how to safely and effectively treat your pregnancy related back and pelvic pain.

Dr. Pierce uses not only the Webster Technique to treat pregnancy related back pain, but will also spend time manually treating the tightened muscles around your spine, hips and pelvis causing pain, but educate you on exercises, stretches and daily habits that will help reduce your pain and in many cases eliminate it completely - and naturally. Many patients also benefit from the inclusion of acupuncture and/or trigger point dry needling to treat their back pain during pregnancy. Acupuncture, provided by a qualified provider is safe during pregnancy and can be extremely beneficial for pain and stress relief, pregnancy induced nausea and may help you sleep more soundly.

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA are necessary for vital bodily functions and without enough of them, you may run into some major health concerns. EPA and DHA are primarily found in fish. Another important omega-3 fatty acid, ALA, is found in nuts and seeds. While it is ideal to receive adequate nutrients from the food you consume, sometimes that just doesn't happen. To be safe and insure that you are receiving adequate Omega-3, supplementation with a high-quality product is advised.

Here are 5 ways Omega-3 Can Improve your life and Health:

1. Omega-3 Can Improve Eye Health

DHA, a type of omega-3, is a major structural component of the brain and retina of the eye and without enough DHA, vision problems may arise. Adequate consumption of omega-3 may reduce risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

4. Omega-3 Can Fight Inflammation

While inflammation is a vital process in our bodies, necessary to repair damaged in the body and fight infection, sometimes inflammation persists longer than necessary without justifiable cause. This type of chronic inflammation can contribute to chronic disease such as cancer and heart disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation and studies have shown a link between higher omega-3 intake and reduced inflammation.

5. Omega-3 Fats Are Good For Your Skin

DHA is a structural component of the skin. It is responsible for the health of cell membranes, which make up a large part of skin. A healthy cell membrane results in soft, moist, supple and wrinkle-free skin. Omega-3s can help keep skin cells healthy, preventing premature aging and more. They may also help protect the skin from sun damage.

EPA also benefits the skin in several ways, including:

Managing oil production in skin.

Managing hydration of the skin.

Preventing hyperkeratinization of hair follicles (the little red bumps often seen on upper arms).

Sciatica can be a real pain in the butt. Literally. But that isn't where it ends! For some folks, sciatica becomes a pain the the leg, or even a pain in the toe. For others, sciatica is numbingly difficult to deal with. Can't feel your foot? Sciatica may be to blame.

This common affliction may be accompanied by lower back pain, but doesn't have to be. Sciatica is a real bummer, but IT CAN BE TREATED!

The term "Sciatica" refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve, the large nerve that accepts contribution from the lumbar and sacral roots after they emerge from the spinal cord. This is the main nerve that supplies the lower extremity. This nerve is a pretty big deal!

Disc bulge impinging upon spinal nerve root.

The first step toward alleviating sciatica is diagnosing WHAT the nerve is being irritated by and WHERE that irritation is located along the nerve's pathway.

Is the nerve impingement due to an intervertebral disc pinching a nerve root? Is it due to complications from advanced osteoarthritis leading to bone spur (osteophyte) formation occluding the space through which the nerve exits the spinal canal? Or is it due to nerve entrapment in the hip or glute due to muscular spasm or adhesions pinching the nerve as it travels through that region???

As you might imagine, figuring this out is not always easy, but luckily, that's what people like me are trained to do. If special imaging is determined to be appropriate, you will be provided with a prescription for an X-ray or MRI the same day as your visit by me (Dr. Pierce).

The first step to successful treatment of sciatica is DIAGNOSIS. Then, based on the cause, a treatment plan can be implemented! More often than not, sciatica can be treated safely and efficiently with conservative care!